‘Public libraries are more than books’: New community resource worker initiative connects Lincoln residents with support

Libraries are more than places to read.

That’s how CenterPointe Chief Executive Officer Tami Lewis-Ahrendt described a new initiative with Lincoln City Libraries.

Through a $25,000 grant from the Woods Charitable Fund, CenterPointe will have a part-time community service worker at the Bennett Martin Public Library. CenterPointe’s mission is to help the community it serves get better sooner, for longer, and Ahrendt said that happens when support is accessible and meets people where they are.

CenterPointe’s community resource worker is Kurt Lockard, who is available at the downtown library Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Every day, people walk through these doors who may be navigating housing instability, mental health challenges or barriers to care. This partnership allows us to meet them in a space that they already trust,” Lewis-Ahrendt said.

In the past month, Lockard worked with 31 residents. He said most were looking for support either through checking in for coordinated entry or for access to housing support.

The goal of the initiative is to connect residents with housing, health care and other essential services in an accessible space, said Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird.

“By offering these services in a really familiar and welcoming space, we will help our community members navigate challenges, build skills and strengthen opportunities for themselves and their families,” Gaylor Baird said. “This partnership shows how public libraries are more than books.”

While it is only a one-year grant, Lewis-Ahrendt said CenterPointe has a plan for sustainability beyond the terms of the grant. She also added that CenterPointe and Lincoln City Libraries will monitor the need for other initiatives across Lincoln.

“As it succeeds at Bennett Martin in the downtown area, I think we'll continue to look for where other libraries that could support this model and may need a resource worker to help support their community,” Lewis-Ahrendt said.